Antifeedback device

ABSTRACT

A simplified antifeedback device for installation in vertically fed belt-type ammunition supply systems is disclosed. The device comprises a tube mounted in a cutaway portion of the feed guide in such a manner that it is moved up and out of the way as the ammunition belt advances, but lodges itself between links of the ammunition belt and the cutaway portion of the feed guide when the belt is drawn downward by gravity upon the cessation of ammunition feed.

United States Patent John R. Zimmerman Sterling Heights, Mich.

Oct. 20, 1969 May 25, 1971 The United States of America as representedby the Secretary of the Army Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented AssigneeANTIFEEDBACK DEVICE 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. Int. Cl Field of Search 89/33 (R), 33 (Drum), 33 (B), 33 (BA),33 (BB), 1 33 (BC), 33 (D) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,076,386 2/1963 Wey Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt AssistantExaminer-Stephen C. Bentley Att0rneysHarry M. Saragovitz, Edward J.Kelly, Herbert Berl and Arthur L. Girard ABSTRACT: A simplifiedantifeedback device for installation in vertically fed belt-typeammunition supply systems is disclosed. The device comprises a tubemounted in a cutaway portion of the feed guide in such a manner that itis moved up and out of the way as the ammunition belt advances, butlodges itself between links of the ammunition belt and the cutawayportion of the feed guide when the belt is drawn downward by gravityupon the cessation of ammunition feed.

PATENTEI] HAY25 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS ANTIFEEDBACK DEVICE The inventiondescribed herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for theGovernment for governmental purposes without payment to me of anyroyalty thereon.

The present invention relates to antifeedback devices for vertically fedammunition systems.

The use of vertical feed systems in belt fed guns particularly invehicles has long caused the problem of gravity induced feedback andconsequent jamming of the ammunition when firing and hence ammunitionadvance ceases.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide ansimplified and inexpensive device which insures elimination ofammunition belt feedback without interference with conventional advanceof same.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be made obvious tothose skilled in the art when the following description is considered inrelation to the accompanying drawings of whichi FIG. I is a perspectiveview of the antifeedback device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the antifeedback device of theinstant invention showing the positions of the device during ammunitionbelt advance; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of the present inventionshowing same in position to prevent belt feedback during cessation ofammunition supply.

Generally the invention provides a simplified antifeedback device forinstallation in vertically fed belt-type ammunition supply systems.

As shown in FIG. 1, the device comprises a tube 14 mounted on a wire 12in the gap 13 formed when cutaway portion 20 in lateral portion 11 offeed guide is folded back toward the exterior of feed guide 10. The wire12 which passes through tube 14 is secured to wall 11 of feed guide 10at or beyond the opposing edges of gap 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, when ammunition 18 comprising ammunition casing 17and charge 19 in feed belt 21, formed by joining links 16, is fed in thedirection of arrow 22, i.e., into the firing mechanism or chamber of therespective weapon (not shown) the antifeedback device of this invention,and specifically tube 14, rotates against cutaway portion 20 of feedguide 10 up and out of the way, in contacting relationship with theadvancing ammunition and ammunition belt. As shown in FIG. 2, wire 12 ispreferably mounted such that tube 14 advances upward in the direction ofmovement of the ammunition and belt to a point where wire 12 is incontact with interior surface 23 of tube 14.

No criticality is attached to this design, however, such an arrangementpermits free advance of the ammunition and ammunition feed belt whilemaintaining tube 14 in a rotatively restrained position with onlylimited freedom of movement. However, some other arrangement might besubstituted if this orientation causes rattle or other inconvenience.

FIG. 3 shows the antifeedback device of this invention in functionalarrangement with ammunition feed belt 21. In this orientation firing ofthe weapon advancement of ammunition and ammunition belt have ceased andgravity tends to draw the belt and ammunition in the direction of arrow24. Such advancement is inhibited by the rotation of tube 14 againstcutaway portion 20 downward until it becomes engaged between two links16 of ammunition belt 21. In this position tube 14 is lodged between thetwo links 16 and cutaway portion 20 of feed guide 10 so as to preventany further feedback of ammunition belt 21. Gravitational pull againstthe feed belt causes tube 14 to lodge in the position shown and hence nofeedback of the ammunition is experienced.

Immediately upon commencement of firing however, as ammunition feedprogresses in the direction of arrow 22 of FIG.

2, tube 14 rotates up and out from between the two links 16 of feed belt21 and the ammunition in belt 21 advances freely as shown in FIG. 2.

This very simple device thus inhibits all feedback of feed belt 21 whileproviding no impedance to its advancement durin weapon firing. I

urthermore, he entire system is very simple, has no actual workingparts, and requires no complex circuitry or mechanism of any kind.

The particular materials utilized in the various members of the deviceof this invention, are not critical. However, the use of a hard plasticmaterial for tube 14 would be preferred over the use of a metallic tubeof similar construction if it reduces noise caused by vibration in thevehicle or weapon in conjunction with which the device is used.Similarly, the'method of securing wire 12 to lateral portion 11 of feedguide 10 is not critical, and any conventional means for securing samemay beused. The method found to be most preferable has been to weld wire12 at a position beyond the opposing edges of gap 13.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference topreferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

lclaim:

1. An antifeedback device for vertically fed belt-type ammunition supplysystems comprising:

a feed guide;

a cutaway portion in a lateral portion of said feed guide bent towardthe exterior of said feed guide;

a gap in said lateral portion fonned when said cutaway portion is bentexteriorly;

a tube movably mounted in said gap, parallel to said lateral portion andin contacting relation cutaway portion; and

a wire passing longitudinally through said tube and fastened to saidlateral portion of said feed guide beyond the opposing edges of saidgap.

2. The antifeedback deviceof claim 1 wherein the opposing extremities ofsaid wire are fastened to said lateral portion of said feed guide beyondthe opposing edges of said gap.

3. The antifeedback device of claim 2 wherein the opposing extremetiesof said wire are fastened to the exterior of said lateral portion ofsaid feed guide.

4. In combination:

a. an antifeedback device for vertically fed belt-type ammunition supplysystems comprising:

a feed guide;

a cutaway portion in a lateral portion of said feed guide bent towardthe exterior of said feed guide;

a gap in said lateral portion formed when said portion is bentexteriorly;

a tube movably mounted in said gap, parallel to said lateral portion andin contacting relation with said cutaway portion; and

a wire passing longitudinally through said tube and fastened to saidlateral portion of said feed guide beyond the opposing edges of saidgap; and

b. a loaded ammunition feed belt made up of interconnected loaded linkswhich belt moves vertically within said feed guide;

said tube being rotated out of the way of said ammunition feed when itis drawn upwardby a feed mechanism and lodging between two consecutivelinks of said ammunition feed belt and said cutaway portion when saidammunition feed belt is drawn earthward upon cessation of operation ofsaid feed mechanism.

cutaway

1. An antifeedback device for vertically fed belt-type ammunition supplysystems comprising: a feed guide; a cutaway portion in a lateral portionof said feed guide bent toward the exterior of said feed guide; a gap insaid lateral portion formed when said cutaway portion is bentexteriorly; a tube movably mounted in said gap, parallel to said lateralportion and in contacting relation cutaway portion; and a wire passinglongitudinally through said tube and fastened to said lateral portion ofsaid feed guide beyond the opposing edges of said gap.
 2. Theantifeedback device of claim 1 wherein the opposing extremities of saidwire are fastened to said lateral portion of said feed guide beyond theopposing edges of said gap.
 3. The antifeedback device of claim 2wherein the opposing extremeties of said wire are fastened to theexterior of said lateral portion of said feed guide.
 4. In combination:a. an antifeedback device for vertically fed belt-type ammunition supplysystems comprising: a feed guide; a cutaway portion in a lateral portionof said feed guide bent toward the exterior of said feed guide; a gap insaid lateral portion formed when said cutaway portion is bentexteriorly; a tube movably mounted in said gap, parallel to said lateralportion and in contacting relation with said cutaway portion; and a wirepassing longitudinally through said tube and fastened to said lateralportion of said feed guide beyond the opposing edges of said gap; and b.a loaded ammunition feed belt made up of interconnected loaded linkswhich belt moves vertically within said feed guide; said tube beingrotated out of the way of said ammunition feed when it is drawn upwardby a feed mechanism and lodging between two consecutive links of saidammunition feed belt and said cutaway portion when said ammunition feedbelt is drawn earthward upon cessation of operation of said feedmechanism.